The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1887-07-21
THE PRESIDENT.
He Takes Part In . Centennial Celebration and
Tells What Q President Ghonld Be-. q.

IeltS WhAL . FrNS1dent ShOuI0 BE- 81
At o centennial celebration at Clinton,
New York, on tho 18th, which was attend
ed by a vast crowd, the speeches occupied
over two hours, and with the exception Of
that by President Cleveland, were chiefly
by persons OF local fame connected py
blood with the early settlers OF this place.
l am inclined to content myself on this
occasion with an acknowledgment on be-
half OF the people OF the United States OF
the compliment which You have paid to
the office which represents their sovereign
ty. but such an acknowledgment suggests
an idea which I cannot refrain from dwell
Ing upon for a moment. That the Office
OF president OF United States does repre-
pie is, to my mind, q statement full OF sol
emnity, for this sovereignty I conceive to
be the working act or enforcement OF the
divine gift OF man. to govern himself, and a
manifestation OF Gods plans concerning
the human race. Though the struggle Of
political parties to secure tho incunlbency
OF this Office, and the questionable methods
may not be akin with this idea;
and though tho deceit practiced to ,nislead
the people in their choice and it's too fire.
quent influences on their suffrage may sur
prise US, these things should never lead us
astray in our estimate of this exalted pos
ton and it's value and dignity; and though
your fellow citizens, who may be chosen to
perform for a time the duties of this high
place, should be badly selected, and though
the best attainable results may not be at
tanned by his ad administration, yet the ex-
acting watchiulness Of the people, freed
from the disturbing turmoil OF political OK
element, ought to prevent mischance to
the Office which represents their sovereign.
ty, and should reduce to a minimum the
danger of harm to the state. by no
mea underestimate the Importance Of
the.
UTMOST CARE N CI~RCUMsPECTION
in selection OF the incumbent. On the con
trary, l believe there IL no obligation o
citizenship that demands more thought
and conscientious elaboration than this;
but I am speaking OF the citizens duty to
the office and its selected incumbent. This
duty is only performed when, in the inter-
est OF the entire people, the full exercise OF
the powers OF chief magistracy in insisted
on, and when for the peoples safety a due
regard for the limitations placed upon the
office is cxactel. These things should be
enforced by the manifestation of o calm
and enlightened public opinion. But this
should not be stimulated by the mad
clamor OF disappointed interest, which
without regard for the general good or al
Ao"dIlCc lOf lHt eAtICIoo VI llC
judgm ents, would degrade the
Office by forcing compliance with
selfish demands. II your president should
not be OF the people and one OF your fellow
citizens he would DO utterly unfit for the
position, incapable OF understanding the
peoples wants, and careless OF their desires.
That he is one Of the people implies
that he is subject to human frailty and,
error; but he should be permitted to claim
but little liberation for mistakes. The
generosity OF his fellow citizens should
alone decree how far good intentions should
excuse his shortcomings. Watch well,
then, this high Office. the most precious
possession Of American citizenship. De-
mand for it the most complete devotion
on the part OF him to whose custody it
may be entrusted, and protect it not less
v%isilantly from unworthy assaults from
without. Thus will you perform q sacred
duty to yourselves and to those who may
follow you in the enjoyment Of the freest
institutions which heaven has ever vouch.
sailed to man.